Improvement in folding tables



W. THOMAS.

Folding-Table.

No. 210.822. Patented Dec 10, 1878.

I' II fliiesi: INVENTOB.

Walier Thomas,

fliiorneys.

MPETERS, FKOTO-LITHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON, D C I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER THOMAS, OF GENESEO, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN FOLDING TABLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 210,822, dated December 10, 1878; application filed September 24, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER THOMAS, of Geneseo, in the county of Henry and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Tables, of which I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description, which will enable others skilled in the art to which my invention appertains to construct and make use of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective of my improve ment, and Fig. 2 a plan View of the same.

My improvement relates to that class of tables so constructed and arranged as to admit of the table-legs being folded up fiat'against the under side of the table-bed, making it a neat and convenient article of furniture for hotels, restaurants, &c., where extra tables are often required, and when not in actual use can be folded in a compact manner and stowed away, occupying but little space. This table will also be found very convenient for hunters and parties camping out, as it does not require to be taken apart for transportation, and can be set up and is ready for use in a moment.

In the drawings, A represents the table-bed bottom-side up, and a a a, a the legs supporting the same when the table is placed in proper position for use. The legs being hinged to the table A are susceptible of a free movement, and are conveniently made to assume a horizontal position by being folded underneath the table-bed in the manner as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings; and by the same agency the legs are changed to a vertical position when the table is required for use.

B B are folding braces, hinged to the under side of the table A, and are located at each end midway between the legs; and said braces are intended to firmly hold the legs in position when the table is in use, in the manner as sh own in I i l of the drawings, and are folded down flat, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, when the table is not in use.

2) b are flat steel springs, attached to and placed on the radial line of the folding braces 13 B, and are for the purpose of preventing the legs of the table from being accidentally removed. Itecesses are provided in the braces furnish the material and fully answer the pun pose.

cc are small cleats attached to the braces 13 B, one end of which is made to project sufficiently to have a semicircular bear-in g on the rungs C, and securely hold the legs a a a a close to the bed of the table when folded.

D 1) are cleats, placed transversely to the table-bed A, and provide bearings for the shoulders of the upper ends of the legs a a a a, and at the same time prevent the bed of the table from warping and being affected by changes in temperature.

hen the table is required for use, first turn outward the folding braces B B, then cause the legs a a a a to assume their proper position. The springs 72 1), operating automatically against the rungs O, firmly hold the legs of the table in a vertical position. I

To fold the parts, a slight pressure from the fingers of the operator will compress the springs I) I), which removes the pressure of the same on the rungs G, and allows the legs to be folded down on the bed of the table. The braces B B are then turned down, securely holding each part firmly in place until properly released.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a folding table, the braces 13 B, hinged to the table-bed A, and provided with the projecting cleats c c and springs b I), in combination with the rungs C and legs a a. a a, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

2. In afolding table, the combination of the folding braces B B, springs b b, rungs 0, legs a a a a, and cleats D D with the table-bed A, the whole being arranged, constructed, and operated in the manner described.

WALTER THOMAS.

Witnesses WILLIAM H. Honsroun, J. O. RocnwnLL. 

